Prom Kween: Edinburgh Fringe 2017 interview

Comic actress Rebecca Humphries is adding another string to her bow at this year’s Fringe by writing the musical Prom Kween, an original musical that promises to be Grease meets Drag Race meets a Trump rally with sequins.

Produced by the team behind Fringe smashes such as Margaret Thatcher: Queen of Soho and How to Win Against History, we think this could be very special. Rachel answered our Qs.

Hello. How are you today?

Oh hi. Yeah, I’m alright, bit frazzled because I’ve just opened a show at the RSC. A fact which isn’t that funny, however it is true and honesty is important.

At this stage, how closely does your programme blurb match the content of your show?

Well we’ve already performed an R&D of it as part of Vault Festival so really the only thing we’ve got to straighten out is how good we’ve said it’s going to be.

Have the momentous events of 2016 affected your act in any way?

The show itself is about a non binary kid who was inspired to run for Prom Queen at his high school following the tragic massacre at Pulse Nightclub. Sounds fun doesn’t it? No, it is fun it really is. Plus writing a musical about America set in 2016 you can’t avoid a massive Republican production number featuring a redneck Trump affictionado and high kicking Statue of Liberty.

Who are you sharing a flat with this festival and how will you help each other survive the month?

I’m sharing with all five other members of my team. I haven’t really shared a flat in about four years, so I consider them incredibly lucky. As for surviving, it’s anyone’s guess.

Any shows you’re particularly excited about seeing?

One of my cast members, Lucy Pearman, is a couple of marks from being certified insane and her one woman show Maid of Cabbage will be hilarious. Good Girl by Naomi Sheldon at Just The Tonic looks rude and fascinating which are my favourites, and Hear Me Raw by Daniella Isaacs is about taking the piss out of the wellness industry-something I wish wasn’t as close to my heart as it is. I also will be going to see Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho at least eight times, as I do every year.

Other than the great shows, what else are you looking forward to about your trip to Edinburgh this year?

I’m going to climb Arthur’s ‘fucking’ Seat. I say it every year but this year I’m going to do it. I will not vomit at the base like I did in 2014.

What celebrity death hit you the hardest in 2016 (mine was Wogan)?

I’ve got two. George Michael. Christmas Day. I just thought he was so incredibly cool and talented and funny and very sad. A fantastic Desert Island Discs. The second in Alan Rickman, because the year before I was in a play and he came and was kind and we shared a bowl of crisps. And because he’s the Sheriff of Nottingham.

Here’s a space to write about anything you want. Go for it.

Prom Kween is going to be a glittery, hot mess of a show with tight ass choreography, blokes in dresses and eleganza dripping from every pore (as well as sweat. There will be lots of sweat). You should come, you’d love it, it’s fierce. No basics.